CUSD #11 Superintendent

Mrs. Suzzette Hesser

The Hoopeston Area School District Board of Education has appointed Mrs. Suzzette Hesser as the new Superintendent of Schools beginning July 1, 2017. Mrs. Hesser has been an educational leader in the Sterling Public Schools since 2002. Mrs. Hesser began her education career as a 5th grade teacher at John Greer Elementary School in Hoopeston. She will replace Mr. Hank Hornbeck who will retire on June 30.

Mrs. Hesser shared with the Board of Education, “I’m excited to serve the district and community as superintendent of Hoopeston Area Community School District 11. My passion is to inspire others to achieve their dreams through education. It is truly an honor to have the opportunity to work with the students, staff, and community to continue the tradition of excellence in the Hoopeston Area Schools and Expect More!”

Mrs. Hesser graduated from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois, with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and continued her education at EIU to complete a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration. She is currently completing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Aurora University, in Aurora, Illinois. As an elementary teacher at John Greer Elementary, Mrs. Hesser had the distinction of becoming the first teacher in Vermilion County to earn National Board Teacher Certification. She attended Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education Principal Center in Boston, MA, for intensive instruction on the use of data and change leadership. She was also chosen to participate in AASA’s Aspiring Superintendent’s Program in Washington, D.C. during the 2016-2017 school year. Mrs. Hesser has twelve years of leadership experience as a principal in Pre-K through 8th grade level schools and a total of twenty-two years of experience in education. Since 2014, Mrs. Hesser has been in her current position as a 5th grade teacher, refining her instructional skills while researching methods for improving in-service teacher development, the topic for her dissertation.

Mrs. Hesser grew up in Bismarck, Illinois. She and her husband, Scott, have three adult children, Alex, Andrew, and Jennifer (Brady). They also mentor two young men, Andrew, and Joseph, who live with their family. In her free time, she enjoys reading, Christian concerts, and kayaking. She and her family are excited to be moving “back home” to the Hoopeston Community as she takes on her new role as superintendent this summer.

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